Apparatus for decorating confections



Judy 2 135 A, L..BAUSMAN 2 APPARATUS FOR DECORATING CONFECTIQNS Filed July lO, 1953 I '15 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORY A g /vzo L/A/TfiNBAl/SMAN AHQRNEY gamz n 1935 A. L. BAUSMAN APPARATUS FOR DECORATING CONFECTIONS Filed July 10, 1933 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 s3 1 Q \w 7 3 I INVENTOR. ALONZO Li/yro/v BA UJMAN July 2, 1935. A. BAUSMAN APPARATUS FOR DECORATING CONFEGTIONS Filed July 10, 1933 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR. A 1. M20 Lmro/v ,BA USMAN BY WQM ATTORNEYS.

July 2, 1935.

A. L. BAUSMAN APPARATUS FOR DECORATING CONFECTIONS Filed July 10, 1935 l5 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR.

Aw/v20 Z/NTaN BAUSMA N WMMM ATTORNEYS.

July 2, 1935.

A. L. BAUSMAN APPARATUS FOR DECORATING CONFECTIONS Filed July 10, 1933 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR ALq /yza l/NTONBA1/5MAN ATTORNEYS y 1935- 'A. L. BAUSMAN I I 2,006,432

APPARATUS FOR DECORATING CONFECTIONS Filed July 10, 1933 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 w g INVEN TOR. Aw/vzo lnvm/vBA USMAN BY it Q ATTORNEYS.

July 2, 1935. A. 1.. BAUSMAN APPARATUS FOR DECORATING CONFECTIONS Filed July 10, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 1o p M ATTORNEYS.

July 2, 1935.

Filed July 10, 1953 A. L. BAUSMAN APPARATUS FOR DECORATING CONFECTIONS 1s Sheets-Sheet 11 11 11! r I! I!!! 1 11 111 1,11 111 11 INVENTOR.

ALONZO L/Nmv BA 415m A A TTORNEYS.

July 2, 1935. A. L. BAUSMAN APPARATUS FOR bECORATING CONFECTIONS Filed July 10, 1953 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 INVENTOR B141, 0/vz0 Z/Nro/v BA USMA N 1 q I ATTORNEYfi Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED APPARATUS FOR DEcoRATiNG" GONFEGT-IONS 1 Alonzo Linton Bausmang Springfield, Mass., as-

signor to National Equipment Company,

Springfield,- Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts .Applioation July'lll, 'ie3asenaiNb. 679,703 i 20 Claims.

This invention "relates tov improvements in ap-' paratus for decorating confections, such for example as confections'whichhave" been freshly -means' for preventing the 1 chocolate, removed V from the scraping means, from being carried *5 coated with chocolate or. any other confections,-

5 the outer surfacesoiwhich are plastic and susceptible to being worked by the same treatment.

The invention is animprovement in that disclosed in my copending application for U. 5. Letters Patent Serial No.'512,642, filed January 31, 1931 which has eventuated into Patent No. 1,956,306. In common with the earlier invention, the present invention makes use of a plaque which is mounted above the confection-carrying belt and presents a substantially flat lower surface of substantial area,-large enough to overlie at one time a group of confections on the belt. The decorations are effected by a working of the plastic coatings of the confections by this plaque. It is mounted to move toward and away from the belt as well as longitudinally and transversely thereof. The plaque'periodically moves down into contact with a large group of confections, rises to draw from each a string of plastic coating and then, while the drawn-out strings remain attached 'to both the confections and the plaque, the plaque is moved in various paths ina substantially horizontal plane to shape the strings into such form that when they break away from the plaque they will fall back upon the confections in ornamental shapes.

' The present invention has for one object to provide means for cleaning the plaque, after each cycle of operation thereof, to remove any particles of chocolate remaining thereon so that the plaque when next'used for decorating will present a fresh clean surface.

Alternatively, the means used for cleaning the plaque, such as a wiper or scraper, may. byadjustment be arranged to allow a certain amount of chocolate to remain on the plaque. It-is sometimes desired to decorate the confeetionswith a smeared plaque, that is one having a coating of chocolate thereon, and the scraping'means may then function in spreading the chocolate on the plaque into a layer of uniform thickness.

For each of the above purposes, relative movement between the plaque and scraper is necessary and, while either one of them may be moved to accomplish the desired purpose, I prefer to move the plaque itself and tothi's end it is another object to provide the plaque in the form of a flexible belt mounted on pulleys so that it may beperiodically moved, like a belt on its pul- 'leys, to carry the-working-surface thereof past cleanthe plaque.

carrying belt. At certain times the plaque travels conveniently operable means for varying, while the. scraping means-for cleaning purposes "and subsequently back into position for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide back with the plaque as it moves back into working position. i 7

Another object is to provide means for heating the plaque. Such a means is especially useful when the apparatus is operated with a smeared plaque, in that the layer of chocolate .on the plaque is preventedfrom setting and is :kept plastic and at the temperature best suited for decorating. It is also desirable when the plaque lis'useoluin the ordinary way, in that it prevents chocolate from solidifying .on'. the plaque and makes it easier for the scrapers to Another object of the invention is to provide means, coordinated with theoperatiorr; of the movable plaque decorator, to regulate the feeding of the confections/thereto. For example, the belt which feeds the confections to-the belt on which they are decorated, may be stopped at intervalsto divide the confections into'groups with a substantial space the-rebetween. This arrangement provides for feeding the confectionsgin distinctgroups in proper timed relation to the plaque decorator and, by' so doing, avoids all possibility of the plaque decorator operating twice on any one confection. Another object of-theinvention is to provide .improved means formoving the plaque decorator in, a direction longitudinally of the confectionin, the same direction as the belt and during-part of this travel it moves at'the same speedand,

during other parts, it moves faster or slower than the belt'to accomplish certain efiects indecorating the candies. Instead of a single means, as used heretofore for the purpose, two means are provided,-one for moving the plaque with uniform motion in the same direction and at the same speed as the belt and 'theother for accelerating or retarding the plaque relatively to the first means. This arrangement makes it much easier to design the cam for effecting longitudinal movement relatively .to the confections.

Another object of the invention isfto provide the apparatus is in operation, the extent of the various movements, imparted tothe movable plaque decorator to enable variations to be made in the decorations produced without changing "the cams which produce such movements. For

"line l-I0 of Fig. 6;

"Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of the example, with such means, the same cams may be used to move the decorator so as to form circular,

oval or other closed loop decorations and to form these shapes in various sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with the means which moves the plaque decorator vertically, conveniently operable means for raising or-lowering the decorator independently of said means to adjust its extreme lower position to conform with the height of theconfections and enable it to be easily. and quickly lift may be made after the. plaque. has been set.

to the desired height without causing a displacement of the plaque from such position.

..Another;object,Oftheinventionis. to provide means conveniently operablewhile the apparatus :is in; operation, to vary the timing of the mechanism. which raises and lowersuthe decorator. relative, to; the other, mechanismswhich,;move .it .lengthwisepr crosswise ofthe confection carrying belt. By such means, the time of contactof the plaqueand confection canbevariedrelative to .the

other motions imparted to the .plaqueand variations in ,the.v decorative effects. produced can be effected.

.Variousother objects will. appear as .the detailed description proceeds, and will be pointedoutin the appended claims.

The invention will be. disclosed-with [reference 3110 the accompanying drawings, in. which:

Fig. 1;is a side elevational view partlyin section, of the decorating apparatus shown as mounted. onthedelivery endof. a confection =.coating. machine;

Fig.2 is .an..end. elevational view .taken. from etheright hand end of. Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is aplan viewmofsthe apparatus; :Fig- '4 .is lasectionalview taken on the line I Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan viewof a-certain --linkageshownin Fig. 4; 1u- Figs. 6 and '7 are-plan and elevational. views, respectively, of themovable plaque'decorator;

Fig. 8--is a side elevationalwiewshowing the decorating apparatus mounted on--the-delivery end of a confection coatingmachine and opera- *tive' to decorate coatedconfections while carried on thewlre mesh belt of that machine,and showing also a means controlled by the decorating apparatus for feeding the confections to said-machine? Fig-9 is an elevational view showing the decorating-apparatus mounted to operate on the con- '--fections while carried by the delivery belt and after-leaving the coating machine, and showing also another means for coordinating the feeding of the confections with the operation of the decorating apparatus;

yFig. 10'is a cross sectional view taken ,on the decorator;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the decorator;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrative of the operating means for the movable scraper;

Figs. 14 and 15 are front and side. elevational delivery end thereof;

views, respectively, of one of the cams for operating the decorator;

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevational view, taken on the line |6-I6 of Fig. 3 and showing apart from the rest of the apparatus the mechanism for moving the decorator toward and away from the confection'carrying belt;

Figs. 1'? and 18-are sectional views taken on the lines l'|l'| and [8-18, respectively, of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line. |9-l9,of Fig. 3 showing apart from the rest of the apparatus one of the mechanisms for moving the decorator back and forth in a longitudinal direction with-respect to said belt;

Fig. 20 is an elevational view of the right hand end of*Fig.19;

Fig. 21 is a sectional elevational view taken on theline 2.l -2I of:Fig. 3 showing apart from the rest of the apparatus the other of the mechanisms for moving the decorator back and forth in a longitudinal direction with respect to said belt;

Fig. 22.is an elevational view of the right hand end of Fig. 21

Fig. 23 is afragmentary top plan view of the decorator showing a modification in the scraping .means for the movableplaque Fig. 24 is an elevational view of the righthand side of the device shownin Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2 525 of Fig. 23;

Figs. 26 and 2'7 are diagrammatical views showing the ,two positions of the scraping means;

Fig. 28 is an elevational view showing in combined form the cam for raising and lowering the decorator and the cam for moving it in a longitudinal direction with uniform motion;

Fig. 29 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 29-29'of Fig. 28; and

Figs. 30 to are diagrammatical views showing themotions imparted by the various cams as more particularly statedin the title of each such figure.

Referring first to Fig. 8 of these drawings; C represents a machine for coating confections with chocolate and E the usual extension frame at the delivery end of such machine. Confections e are carried on a wire mesh conveyer w through said machine and coated with chocolate or any other desired kind of coating in the usual way. The conveyer 10 travels into the extension part E and, in passing from its upper to its lower stretch of traveLpasses over a small roll a in order to make a sharp turn and then around a driving roll 1. A delivery conveyer g is mounted'to travel in the same direction and same plane as conveyer w and has one end in receiving relation with the The decorating apparatus, indicated as a whole at D, is mounted upon the extension E and'operates as will later appear, on

the confections e while carried by belt w.

The confections 6 may be fed to the machine C in the usual or any suitable way but preferably they are fed in groups,-each group comprising a plurality of confections usually arranged in several transverse rows as indicated.-and the last such .row of one group is spaced from the first such row of a succeeding group by a space 3 which is somewhat larger than the space between successive transverse rows of one group. shown, the confections are placed on a feed belt j which. transfers them to the coating belt I) of anapparatus H for coating the bottom surfaces of the confections. The beltb in turn transfers the confections to a conveyer .d which carries them to and transfers them upon the conveyer w. The conveyers 1, band e in the upper stretches of travel, are in alignment with each other and with the upperstretch of belt w and move in the same direction as belt w. The conveyers b and d are driven from machine C by the shafts 2' and connections indicated, in the usual way. Conveyer f is also driven from shafts i but intermittently through the intermediary of relatively movable clutch elements 10. When such elements are engaged, shafts idrive a shaft 1' which in turn drives through a worm l and gear m the drive roll 11. of belt 1. The movable clutch element It is operated by a forked clutch lever 0 which is connected by the links go and bell cranks q to a lever t, and the latter is operated as indicated by a cam 25 of the decorating apparatus. A spring it tends to hold elements is engaged but intermittently (once during each revolution of cam 25) these elements It will be disengaged, whereby belt 1 is stopped for a short interval while belts b, d and w continue in motion, thus creating the gap s between the adjacent rows of adjacent groups of confections e.

- The decorator D includes a plaque 26 which is of an area such that it can overlie at one time all the confections e in one group. This plaque is so operated as to simultaneously contact with all the confections of such group, then rise to draw out strings of chocolate from the fresh coatings of the confections and then move in any desired path in a horizontal plane while the strings remain attached thereto in order to shape the strings in the desired way so that, when the strings finally break away from the plaque 26 they will fall back upon the confections and form ornamental decorations. This plaque 2B operates in timed relation with conveyer w and coinpletes one cycle of operation while the conveyer w moves a distance equal to the width of the plaque, which width as shown in Fig. 8 is somewhat greater than the length of the group of confections e. By the time the plaque 26 has completed one cycle of operation, a second group of confections should be in position to be operated onby the plaque 26 but to insure against any possibility of the plaque operating twice on any row of confections, the latter are divided into groups as shown with a substantial space between each group.

The coating machine and feeding means therefor have been shown more or less conventionally because they are well known in the art. The coating machine may, for example, operate in the same general way as disclosed in Magniez Patent No. 735,890, dated August 11, 1903, and the feeding and bottom coating means may be construoted and operate as disclosed in the Bausman Patent No. 1,493,423, dated May 6, 1924. Reference to these patents may be had for a more complete disclosure, if desired.

The decorator may also be mounted in a separate frame as shown in Fig. 9, and arranged so that the plaque 26 operates on the confections e while they are being carried by delivery belt 9.

and before they enter the cold box X. Where it is desired to feed the confections e in groups, the wire belt w and preferably also the feeding belt or belts driven by shafts i are stopped intermittently by cam 25. With the delivery belt moving continuously, the same result of creating. spaces between'successive groups of candies e will be effected. As shown, 11 is the usual drive shaft for the belt to and a is the usual drive shaft for both the feed and delivery belts. Shaft z-drives'through the bevel gearing shown, the

shaft 2' which extends to the left hand end of 'thebelt g and drives it in the usual way, for

example in the same way that belt 7 is driven. Shaft 2' drives shaft 2' through gearingg and a clutch k. 'Shaft y drives through a clutch 702 a bevel gear 92 which, through the connections indicated, drives the roll r of belt w. The clutches k and k2 are simultaneously opened by cam 25 by means of the connections shown with lever t. A spring it tends to hold the clutches engaged. The illustration, although more or less conventional, will suflice to show those skilled in the art how the desired result can be effected.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, the decorating apparatus is mounted in a frame comprising two side members 21', each of hollow rectangular form and mounted in upstanding relation one on each extension E. The upper ends of the members 21 are tied together by a plate 23 which serves to support most of the decorating apparatus and the operating mechanism therefor. The openings in the side frames 2! are usually closed by doors havingwindows therein/one of which is indicated at 29 inFig. 8. The space shown in Fig. 2 between the side frames 21 and below the plate 28 is also closed in but the closure has been omitted from the drawings, as

have also the doors 29, to enable the interior mechanism to be seen. Actually then, the decorating apparatus is completely enclosed except for the driving mechanism shown above plate 28 and this mechanism may, of course, be enclosed if desired. The space between the decorating apparatus D (Fig. 1) and coating machine'C is preferably enclosed by a U-shaped hood 27'.

The decorating element,-the plaque 26 heretofore referred to,--is shown in operative position in Fig. 2 and the details of its mounting and of the'parts associated therewith are-best shown in Figs. 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12. The plaque is preferably of flexible material and may advantageously be of waxed paper or the like. It is preferably also mounted to move after each application to the coated confections, with relation to a cleaning device so that any chocolate remaining on the plaque after the decorating operation may be removed. As a convenient way of accomplishing this purpose, the plaque istrained over four rolls 30 and its ends are joined together by clamping them between two bars 3| and 32 (Figs. 7 and by means of screws 33. The plaque supporting rolls are mounted in a frame including two pairs of end members 34, each pair of which supports one of the upper and one of the lower rolls 30. The members 34 of each pair are tied together by a cross bar 35 and each member of one pair is tied to the corresponding member of the other pair by a rod 36. Each rod 36 is fixedat one end, as

. indicated, to one member 34 and at the other end is screw threaded to receive nuts 3'! by means of which it may be clamped to the other member 34 in various positions of adjustment. This adjustment enables the plaque belt 26 to be tensioned when necessary, and facilitates the operation of placing the belt on its rolls. These rods 36 each carry a pair of longitudinally spaced grooved rolls 38, each held in place between a pair of collars 39. These rolls or their equivalents, such as shoes or runners, are properly spaced to ride ona pair of rods' 40 which provide tracks for the decorator to ride upon in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of The members 34', 35 and36 constitutea carriage tions) past the scraping means.

in which the plaque 26 is movably mounted and which is mounted to move along tracks 40 by means of rolls 33 or any other, suitable means.

The plaque belt 26 may conveniently be moved on its rolls 3!! by a pull imparted to the clamping device 3|, 32, which holds the overlapping ends of the belt together. For this purpose an operating belt 4!, shown in Fig. 2 and in part in Figs. 6 and .10, is provided. Belt 4| is clamped between the member 3| and a superposed plate 42 which is held to member 3! by screws 43. This plate 42 has upturned ends 44 which ride between a pair of guide strips 45, mounted parallel with the direction of travel of belt 26 and secured at their ends, one to each of the cross bars 35. These strips 45 as well as certain other details have been omitted from Fig. 2 to avoid undue confusion of lines-reliance for the showing of details being placed on Figs. 6, '7, and 10 to 12. The ends of each cross bar 35 are slotted to receive the fastening screws 46. This provision enables the belt 26 to be tensioned as above described, when screws 46 are loosened. To pre vent the belt 26 from sagging unduly in its upper stretch, the ends of member 32 are extended beyond the corresponding ends of member 3! (Figs. 6 and 10) to overlie and ride upon rails 4'! which parallel the guides 45 and which each extend between and interconnect two opposed members 34 and are mounted at their ends in grooves formed in such members,--the rails 47 being slidable in at least one of such grooves to enable the members 34 to be moved toward. or away from each other when required.

For cleaning the plaque 26, scraping means are provided and after each cycle of operation, the plaque is moved by belt ll and operating mechanism to be described, far enough to carry its working surface (that portion of the lower stretch of the belt 28 which lies between rolls 8!] and is operative to engage underlying confec- The scraping means includes a stationary scraper blade 48 which extends across the outer ends of one pair of members 34 and is slidably supported at its ends by angle iron brackets 48, secured one to each such member. The blade at is mounted to move on its brackets 49 in. a direction toward and away from belt 25, and may be moved thereon for adjustment purposes by the means indicated at 50. The scraper preferably acts on the plaque 26 at a location where the plaque is not backed up by any of the rolls 38 or any other unyielding part. It is desirable, inorder to avoid excessive wear on the plaque, to have the plaque free to yield away from the scraper and this result is secured by locating the scraper 4 8 between one end set of upper and lower rolls 39.

A second scraper is provided adjacent scraper 4B. Scraper 5i extends-between a pair of arms 52 and is secured at its ends, one to each of these arms. Such arms are fixed to a shaft 53 on which one upper end roll 35 is mounted to turn freely. One of the arms-52 is extended above shaft 53 (Fig. 13) for connection. by alink 54 to the free end of an arm 55 which, at its other end is fixed to the lower end of a shaft 56 mounted in a bracket 51 secured to one of the cross bars 35. The upper end of this shaft is connected by a universal joint 53 to a shaft 59 (Fig. 12), having a drive pin 88 extending diametrically therethrough and projecting from oppositesides thereof. This shaft 59 and pin 60 are-adapted for connectionto the driving mechshown in' Fig. 1 and later to be described.

The connections between arms 52 and 55 include three blocksfil each having a. trunnion 62.. One of these is secured to each end of link 54 and the trunnion 62 of the blockfil which lies on arm 55 is pivotally received in the latter. The block 5| which is fixed to the other end of link 54 rests upon and has its trunnion pivotally received in a second block 5!, the trunnion of which passes through arm 52. It will be clear that by turning shaft 59 the scraper 5| may be moved from the inactive position indicated by full lines in Fig. 7 to the active position indicated by dotted lines and back again.

Between the upper and lower stretches of the plaque belt 26 a sheet metal casing 63 (Figs. 6 and 7) is mounted, such casing being suitably supported as by brackets 64 from the rods 36. This casing contains an electric heating means 65 which may be used when it is desired to Warm the plaque. Supply wire connections are indicatedin Fig. 6 and these include a flexible cable 56 for enabling the decorator to move freely up and down, sidewiseand longitudinally of belt w. One use for this heater is found in the case where confections are decorated by a smeared plaque-that is, one having a coating of chocolate thereon. In suchcase, it is. necessary. to keep the chocolate coating on the plaque in plastic condition. When using the smeared plaque, the. scrapers are backed off from the belt 26 to allow the formation of the chocolate coating on the plaque and they then act merely to control the thickness of the coating on the plaque by preventing the layer: of coating from building up in thickness beyond a predetermined degree.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the track rods 40 on which the decorator unit just described is adapted to slide in a direction longitudinally of belt 10, are each supported by a pair of links 68 arranged one near each end thereof. A rod 69 interconnects the upper ends of each pair of links (58. The links are free to turn on rod 69 but are held from axial displacement thereon by collars 69' fixed to the rod. Each rod 69 is mounted in the lower ends of a pair of blocks '10 fixed thereto. The front block of one pair is connected to the front block of the other pair by a rod H which is free to turn in such blocks about an axis at right angles to that in which rod 69 turns. A. pair of links 12, through the lower ends of which rod 'H passes with freedom to turn therein, support this rod from a pair of bellcranks i3 mounted on a shaft 14, supported near its ends 23. Each rear block ill is connected by a pivot pin ii to the lower end of a link 12, the upper end of which is pivotally connected to one arm of a bellcrank l3. ported on a separate stud 14 from a bracket 15, fixed to and depending from plate 28. The deending arm of each bellcrank 73 is connected to the depending arm of the correspondingly located beilcrank '13 by a link 16. It will be clear that when shaft 14 is rocked, the several bellcranks will turn in unison and the rods 69 and 4|] and the decorator unit will be raised and lowered with respect to belt 20. A pair of rods 11 fixed to and vertically depending from plate: 28 (Figs. 1 and 16), engage shaft H on opposite sides and prevent longitudinal movement thereof. Shaft H is thus compelled to move in a true vertical path. The rails 40, however, are free to move transversely of belt w because the links 68 are free to turn on rod 69. If the decorator unit is moved transversely, by mechanism to be described, the

Each bellcrank 13 is sup- II4 (Fig. 17) is forked to straddlearm I Hand is.

grooved rolls '38 will push rails 40 and cause links 68 to swing on rod 69. v

The various motions which are necessary to, impart to the decorator, are effected from a camshaft I8 driven by intermeshing spur gears I9 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) from a shaft 80, which in turn is driven by a chain II and suitable sprockets (see also Fig. 1) from one of the shafts such as s of the chocolate coating machine,- such shaft s having a surface speed equal to the linear speed of belt w. The shafts I8 and are mounted as indicated in suitable bearings 18 and 39, respectively, fixed to the upper face of plate 28. The gear 19 on cam shaft 18 is free to turn thereon but may be coupled thereto by engaging the clutch elements 82 and 83 (Figs. 2 and 3), the former being fixed to the gear and the latter slidably keyed to the shaft. Clutch element 82 is movable by a lever 84 pivoted to a bracket 84 and carrying a clutch fork 85 which engages in a circumferential groove in element 83 (see also Fig. 4).

The means for raising and lowering the decorator will next be described with special reference to Fig. 16. Fixed to cam shaft I8 is a member 86 having an arcuate slot 8'! through which extends a cap screw 88, threaded into the cam H5 in which a block II 6 is slidable;

89 which is mounted on the cam shaft with freedom to turn thereon and incontiguous relation with member 86 (see also Fig. 18). The connection 81, 88 enables this cam to be angularly adjusted on shaft I8 for timing purposes in a convenient manner. Engaging cam 89 is a roll 90 (see also Fig. 18) having trunnions 9| received one in each of a pair of bearing blocks 92 which are slidable in a curved slot 93 (Fig. 16) formed in the forked end of a follower bar 94. This bar is supported for movement in a direction sub- 'stantially radially of cam 89,'by pairs of links 95 disposed one pair near each end of the bar. The lower ends of the links of each pair are fulcrumed on a shaft 96 mounted in bearings 91 fixed to the upper face of plate 28 (see also Fig. 3). Fixed to the outer end of bar 94 is an upstanding ear 98 affording a bearing for a shaft 99,

which is held by collars I00 against axial movement in its bearing and which may be turned by a hand crank I III fixed thereto. Fixed to and upstanding from bar 94 near its inner end is a bracket I02 which, by a stud I03, pivotally supports a bellcrank I04. The horizontal arm of bellcran'k I04 is connected by a pair of links I05 one to each of the trunnions 9I. The vertical arm of this bellcrank has pivotally connected thereto a fork I 0! into the outer end of which rod 99 is threaded. By turning crank IOI, shaft 99 may be screwed further into or out of fork I01 to move bellcrank I04, whereby the cam fol-' lower 90 may be shifted angularly relatively to its cam 89. This, like the adjustable connection between cam 89 and member 85, enables thetiming to be varied but unlike the said connection, it enables the timing to be varied While the machine is in operation.

The follower arm 94 has 2. depending ear I08 which is pivotally received in one forked end of a link I09 (see also Fig. 17). The other end of this link is pivotally connected to a rocker arm i H] mounted to turn freely on a shaft II I which, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is mounted in brackets II2 fixed to plate 28. Mounted on shaft I4 with freedom to turn thereon, is an upstanding rocker arm II3 which is operated from rocker arm IIO by a link II4. This arm I I3 has a curved slot The link pivotally connected to the block II6 by a stud I". A threaded rod II8 passes transversely through the head of stud Ill. The other endof rod H8 passes through the head of a stud H9 mounted to turn in the upper end of arm I I3. The rod IIB has fixed thereto a hand Wheel I20, whereby it may conveniently be turned and this handwheel, together with a collar IZI fixed on the rod, cooperates with the head of stud II9 to hold the rod against axial movement. By turning wheel I20, the block H5 may be moved in arm I I3 toward or away from shaft I4 to vary angular movement of the arm. When the roll 90 is positioned on the low point of cam 89, the curved slot H5 is concentric with the axis of the pivotal connection between link I I4 andarm H0. The block IIG may then beshifted in slot II5 Without causing movement of either of the arms H3 or IIO. When the roll 90 is thus positioned, the plaque 26 is in lowered position-and theadjustment described enables the throw of arm H3 and thus the degree of lifting movement of the plaque to be varied without varying the low-, cred position of the plaque.

Provision needs to be made to adjust the plaque 23 vertically with respect to belt to to take care of confections of various. heights. The plaque, when lowered as far as possibleby cam 89, must be moved up or down as'required; to.secure the desired contact of the plaque with the confections. To this end, the rockerarm II3is left free to turn on shaft I4 and moves the latter through an arm I22 fixed on the shaft. Arm I22 has an adjusting screw I23 therein which bears against arm II 3. The weight of the 'movable decorator carriage and the parts whichv support it, holds screw I23 in contact with arm I I3 when this arm swings in a clockwise direction. When arm II3 swings in the other direction, it'pushes' on screw I23 and moves arm I22 and turns shaft F4 to raise the decorator. -By turning screw I23, the plaque may be raised or lowered relatively to the operating mechanism and adjusted'to secure the desired contact'with the confections.

It is important that the plaque be supported within close limits in parallel relationto-belt Adjustments which will enable the plaque to be carefully levelled or brought into parallelism with belt w are very desirable. The plaque must contact simultaneously with all of the confections of one group and to insure this result, the aforesaid adjustments are necessary. For the purpose in view, only one of the two bellcranks I3 is keyed to shaft 14 (the right hand one as viewed-in Fig. 2) The other, shown also in Fig. 16, is free to turn on this shaft and is moved by an arm I24 and a screw I 25 which is adjustably mounted in the arm and engages a projection I26 on the bellcrank. As in the case of arm I22 and screw I23, the weight of the decorator and associated parts maintains contact between the screw I25 and projection I 26-. By turning screw I25, one corner of the decorator supporting frame comprising members 40, 68 and 09 can be raised or lowered with'respe'ct to the corner supported from the other'bellcrank l3. To adjust the other two corners of the frame,

the adjustable connecting rods I6 are lengthened or shortened as requiredto move their bellcranks 73' to the desired degree. I

The means for moving the decorator'longitudi nally of the belt 111 will next be described. ,Such means includes two mechanisms -one shown in Figs. 19 and 20 for effecting uniform motion of the decorator at the same speed and in the same and one of its bearings '25.

direction as belt w; and the other shown in Figs. 21 and '22 for effecting longitudinal movement of the decorator relatively to the uniform motion,making it travel faster-or slower than the belt at certain times.

Referring'first to uniform motion mechanism, anoperating cam I21 is fixed to shaft '58 in the location shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Figs. 19 and 20, this cam acts on a cam follower I28 carried by one arm of a bellcrank I29, mounted to turn freely on shaft III. The follower is held against cam I2. by a spring I3) which connects the other and depending arm of the bellcrank to the unstanding leg of an angle iron I3I, fixed to the top of plate 28. The depending arm of the bellcrank is connected by a link I32 to a rocker arm I33 mounted to turn freely on shaft I l and held, along with two other similar rocker arms (Fig. 2), between a collar I34 fixed to shaft I4 The lower end of rocker arm I33 is connected by a bent link I35 to a lever I36 at a point intermediate the end of the latter. This lever is pivotally supported at its upper end on a stud I31 fixed in a bracket I38 secured to plate 28. The lower end of lever I35 is connected to one end of a link I33, the other end of which is downturned and received in a socket I40 (seeFig. 6). This socket, in which the cylindrical downturned end of link I39 is free to turn,

' is mounted to turn on one of the rods 36 of the decorator frame and is held against axial displacement thereon between a pair of collars MI. The decorator is shown in partly raised position in which the plaque 25 has drawn out strings on its forward stroke at uniform speed in the same direction and at the same speed as belt w. The return stroke of the plaque, which occurs between successive decorating operations and while the plaque is elevated, is not important and need not be at uniform speed. The extent of 1 travel of the plaque is adjustable by varying the throw of rocker arm I33. This may be done by turning handwheel I42 which serves to raise or lower the pivotal connection of link I32 with arm I513. The means for effecting this adjustment aresimilar to those described for adjusting link I I4 relative to arm H3 and include a curved slot I43 which, when the parts occupy the illustrated "positions, is concentric with the axis of the pivotal connection between link I32 and bellcrank I29. Therefore, when the plaque 26 is positioned at the starting point of its main movement of "uniform" travel, the throw of arm I33 can be varied without displacing the plaque from its starting point.

i; Thecam IZ'Iis preferably made as shown in Figs. 14 and 1 with an adjustable segment I2? which is free to turn on shaft 18 and may be suitably fixed to cam I21 in various positions of angular adjustment, as by a cap screw 254 which passes through a curved slot 255 in cam I21 and threads into the segment I27. The segment I21 has a peripheral portion 255 designed to produce uniform motion. The cam I2'I has a much larger peripheral portion 251 also designed to produce uniform motion. Cam IZ'I also has a dwell portion a portion- 255 for effecting rearward movement of the plaque in any desired way, and a dwell portion The segment IZ'I' has a portion shaped like the portion 259. As shown by full lines in Fig. 14, the preliminary part of the f rward stroke of the plaqueis initiated by the part of segment-I21 which moves it with uniform motion and at the same speed as belt w. There next ensues a dwell as the cam follower rides over the portion 258 of the dwell surface 258 of cam i2"! and then, as the follower rides over the surface 5 of cam I21, the plaque is again moved with uniform motion and in the same direction and at the same speed as belt w. When the plaque reaches the end of its forward strokait dwells there while the follower rides on the part 26d of cam I21 and then moves backwardly as the follower rides over the surface 26I of segment lll'. By the adjustment 254, 255 the angular extent of the dwell interval 253' may be varied within suitable limits as desired and by moving it into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. i l this dwell interval may be entirely eliminated. The part 255 of segment I21 then forms a continuation of the part 25'! of cam I21. The purpose of the uniform motion part 256 is to move the plaque with the belt at the same speed while it is being moved into contact with the confections and for a short interval during the initial stage of the lifting movement of the plaque, which movement immediately ensues. Contact is made and the drawing out of the strings initiated, while there is no relative motion between the plaque and the confections. Then the dwell 258 causes tie plaque to stop moving forwardly and, since the confections continue to move forwardly, the strings drawn out from the confections will be pulled rearwardly thereof.

The movement of the plaque 26 by lever I would be uniform and equal in speed to the speed of belt 10 if the link E39 were directly pivoted to the lever. Actually, this link is mounted on this lever for relative movement and separate means are provided for moving the link relatively to the lever for the purpose of maldng the plaque move faster or slower than belt .0 at certain times. The means'for effecting this movement of link I38 relatively to lever are shown in Figs. 21 and and will now be described. The lever I35 is provided with bearings M3 in which a shaft M is rotatably mounted with its axisparalleling the lever. The lower end of shaft I44 has thereto an arm I45. Mounted to turn in the free end of this arm is a stud I45 the head of which pivotally receives a stud Ml, disposed at right angles to stud Idfi and having a head fixed to link I36. If this arm I45 is prevented from turning, the link will be moved by lever I36 in the manner above described. If, how ever, the shaft I liis turned while lever I36 is moving the plaque 26, then the arm I45 will be swung and by so doing the link I39 will be ad vanced or retracted to accelerate or retard the movement of plaque 26 with respect to belt w. Shaft M4 is connected by a shaft I48 and universal couplings I49 or in any other suitable way to a shaft i511 mounted as shown in a part of bracket I38 to turn about a vertical axis. Shaft I50 carries an arm l5l, herein shown as integral with the upper part of the upper coupling I 43. Arm IN is connected by a link I52 and suitable couplings to the lower and of a rocker arm I54, mounted to turn on shaft l' l'and located ad jacent rocker arm I33 as shown in Fig. 2. Arm IE4 is connectedby a link l55'tc one arm of a bellcrank I56 mounted to turn on shaft II I. a The other arm of the bellcrank has a cam follower I 51 riding on the periphery of a earn 558, suitably fixed, preferably by an adjustment similar to that described in connection with cam 39; to shaft I8. A spring I59 connects the angle iron I3I to the depending arm of the bellcrank and holds the follower against its cam. The throw of rocker arm I54 is adjustable in the same manner as described in connection with arm I33 and by similar means. These means include a hand- Wheel I69 for effecting movement of the pivotal connection of link I55 to arm H54 in a curved slot IBI which, when the parts are positioned as shown, lies concentric with the axis of the piv" otal connection of link I55 to bellcrank I59, and the throw of arm i5 3 may then be varied without causing movement of the plaque. Cam I58 has a dwell portion I62, a part M3 for moving the plaque ahead of belt w and a part I94 for moving the plaque backwardly with respect to belt w.

The means for moving the plaque 26 crosswise of belt to will next be described with special reference to Figs. 4 and 5. A cam" I65, adjustably fixed to shaft l8 as indicated, operates a cam follower Itfi carried on one arm'of a bellcrank I61 mounted to turn on shaft MI. The other and'depending arm of this'bellcrank is connected by a spring I68 to angle iron I3I and bya link I69 to a rocker arm H9, mounted on shaft I l alongside rocker arm I 5d (see Fig. 2). The connection of link I 69 to arm H9 is adjustable by a handwheel III to vary the throw of the arm in a manner similar to that described in connection with arm H3, and the curved slot I12 in arm Illl is concentric with the axis of the pivotal connection between link I99 and bellcrank I 61, when the parts are positioned as shown with the plaque 25 in the center of its transverse path of movement. Thus, the throw of arm Il'il may be adjusted to vary the extent of transverse travel of the plaque without displacing it from said position. The lower end of arm I19 is connected by a link I'I3 and suitable couplings I'M to one end of arm I75, fixed at its other end to a vertical shaft I it, mounted as shown in bearings IIfi fixed to frame 2i. The lower end of shaft 576 has fixed thereto an arm I", the outer end of which pivotally receives a stud I18. This stud has a head H9 which pivotally receives a stud I88 disposed at right angles to stud I18. To the head of studltll is adjustably fixed one end of a rod I8I which at its other end is pivotally received on a stud I8I fixed in a block I82, mounted between a pair of collars I83 to turn on a vertical rod 59 This rod (see Fig. 1) is mounted to swivel in the central depending hub of a forked piece I85 which in turn is pivoted at its upper end on a stud I85, mounted in a bracket I89 secured to the under side of plate 29. Rod I9 5 has securedthereto at a point intermediate its ends, a member it! (see Fig. 2) to which is hinged one end of a radius rod I88. The other end of the latter is hinged to a member I89 mounted to turn on a vertical stud I99 secured to a bracket I9I which supports the mem-- ber I89 and is secured to one of the end members 35 of the. frame of the movable plaque decorator. It will be clear that the cam I65 will swing rocker arm I19 and cause shaft i'itl to be turned, thus swinging rod I84. The swinging movement of this rod is transmitted through radius rod I89 to the frame'of the plaque decorator. The connections permit movement of the decorator back and forth in a longitudinal direction (the rod I94 can swivel in member I85 and member IBS'can swivel on stud 199) and movement of the decorator up and down because of the hinge connections at the ends of the radius rod. When the decorator is moved transversely by rod I89, the flanges of the grooved rolls 38 prevent disengagement of thelatter from tracks 69 and these tracks will be moved transversely of belt to, their supporting links 63 swinging about the of rods 69 and these rods turning in blocks E9 to permit the movement.

The cam I65 has a low dwell portion 2'62 for maintaining the plaque stationary in its center position while it is being lowered intocontact with the confections and during the first part of the lifting movement of the plaque to effect the drawing out of strings from the coatings of the confections. The cam has a part 2% for mov' ing it to the left (as viewed in Fig. 2) to one of its extreme positions, a part 264 for moving it from such extreme position to the right to the other extreme position, a part for againmoving it to the left into the first named extreme position, a high dwell part 265 for holding it stationary in such extreme left hand position while the plaque is being moved relatively to the scraper to clean it, and a part 29'! for returning the pr aque to its centralized position. It is to be noted that since the cleaning of the plaque is effected while the plaque carriage is in its extreme left hand position, the chocolate removed from the plaque will not fall on belt to but will fall between one edge of said belt and the adjacent frame E.

The means for driving the plaque 26 will next be described with special reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Fixed on the cam shaft i8 is an intermittent gear I92 cooperating with a pinion I93 fixed on one end of the rocker arm shaft II L. Gear I92 is arranged to impart one complete revolution of pinion I523 during one half of the revolution of shaftlli and to maintain the pinion at rest during the other half revolution of shaft I8. Pinion 593 has fixed thereto a crank pin I94. which by a connecting rod I95 drives one arm of a bell-- crank I99. mounted on a shaft l9! supported by bearings I 99 from plate 29. The other arm of the bellcrank has formed thereon a segmental gear I99 which drives a pinion Zilli, fixed on a shaft 2M, mounted in bearings 292, fixed to. plate 29. Shaft, 2M has fixed thereon a gear 293which drives a pinion 2% fixed on shaft 295. The latter is supported in bearings 2815 fixed to plate 28 and has fixed thereto a drum fill. The plaque driving belt M, heretofore referred to as fixed to the clamping elements SI 92 whichhold together the ends of the plaque belt 26, is wound around drum 2M and is guided in its passage between the drum and decorator by a suitable series of pulleys so that as the drum is intermittently turned first in oneand then in the other direction, the plaque 26 whichis attached to the belt M will be moved first in one direction to cause thescraper to remove the chocolate from the'plaque andthen-in the opposite direction to restore the cleaned plaque to its original position. The gearing which operates drum 295 is such as to move the plaque 

